Meet the Chef: Norman Van Aken

At D’Artagnan we proudly work with chefs across the country, providing them with quality ingredients to express their creativity in the kitchen. Some we have decades-long relationships with, and others are new to the family. The chef we interviewed for this blog post falls in the former camp. Chef Norman Van Aken is a highly decorated veteran of many kitchens who has been described as “legendary, visionary and a trailblazer” as well as “the culinary Titan of Florida.” Read on for more about Chef Norman.

Behind-the-Scenes Dinner with Ariane and Les Marmitons

Have you ever wanted to cook with a whole group of friends? If so, you might be interested in Les Marmitons. The members of this gentlemen’s social club share an interest in fine food, wine, and the culinary arts, and they gather monthly to cook multi-course meals under the tutelage of a professional chef. Of course, they eat…

Meet the Chef: An Interview with Jonah Miller of Huertas

At D’Artagnan we are proud to work with chefs across the country and learn about the innovative things they do at their restaurants. We recently spoke with Chef Jonah Miller, a New Yorker who fell in love with Basque food and opened Huertas, a pinxto bar in the East Village in 2014. The exciting Basque-inspired…

It’s Official: Ariane Wins Trailblazer Award at IACP

The International Association of Culinary Professionals met this past weekend for their 40th conference, which included their prestigious annual awards. We are proud to announce that Ariane Daguin, the founder, and owner of D’Artagnan, was recognized with the IACP Trailblazer Award! Ariane was honored to receive the award and joins us in congratulating all the…

Remembering Paul Bocuse

On Saturday, January 20, Paul Bocuse, the “pope” of chefs and founding father of nouvelle cuisine passed away in his sleep at the age of 91. We at D’Artagnan join the rest of the culinary world to honor his life and mourn his passing. As the undisputed master of modern French cuisine, Bocuse is revered…

The Problematic Politics of Poutine

Poutine has been gaining popularity over the past few years, not just in Canada but in the United States, too. In Quebec, there are some poutine rumblings – and not of the stomach – that caught the attention of The New York Times, resulting in this recent article about the culturally charged dish. For years the Quebecois…

How to Make a Foie Gras Terrine

The terrine of foie gras. A classic in French cuisine, the ultimate expression of foie gras potential, and for a recipe with so few ingredients, somewhat intimidating. Named after the vessel itself, a foie gras terrine is cooked in a terrine mold, usually a porcelain one with a tightly-fitted lid. But how hard is it to make?…

Making History: Pheasant Under Glass Recipe

Blogger Deana Sidney of Lost Past Remembered is dedicated to discovering, replicating and adapting historic recipes. She’s also a big fan of game meats and creates elaborate dishes with game birds, which she always insists are easier than they look. With wild Scottish game birds finally in season, it’s a fitting time to share some of her…

Why Let Meat Rest?

Whether it’s a ribeye, skirt steak, duck breast or pork chop, it is most satisfying to eat a piece of meat that is bursting with moisture and flavor. However, if you’re not careful with your dinner, you could end up gnawing away at a steak or chop that is dry and flavorless. That is not…

What is Sous Vide Anyway?

Sous vide (pronounced /su veed/) is a French culinary term meaning ‘under vacuum.’ It refers to a low-temperature method of cooking that originated in the early 1800s, but is favored by many professional chefs today. In very basic terms, sous vide is putting ingredients into a vacuum-sealed bag, then immersing in warm water kept at a…

Get Your Kitchen Ready for Cooking Season

Are you prepared for the intensive cooking season? As the temperatures drop, soups and meat pies become more appealing. And that means it’s time to go back to the kitchen… After a summer of grilling, eating out, and those quick dinners of salad and charcuterie, there are likely corners of the kitchen that need attention….